Arizona to get $13.8 million for border enforcement

by Erin Kelly - Jul. 16, 2010 12:00 AMRepublic Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Thursday that the federal government will provide nearly $14 million in grants to Arizona to help cover the cost of law enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Arizona is second only to Texas in the amount of Operation Stonegarden money that it will receive for fiscal 2010. Texas will get about $17.5 million, and California will receive more than $12 million. Another $4 million will go to New Mexico.

The money helps state and local law-enforcement agencies at the Southwest border, the northern border and in the U.S. territories hire officers, pay for overtime and travel costs, and buy technology to work with federal authorities in securing the borders and reducing drug smuggling.

A total of $60 million in grants is being given out this year, Napolitano said during a trip to Laredo, Texas. Nearly 80 percent of the money will go to Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas - up from 59 percent in 2008 and almost 76 percent in 2009.

Arizona's share is $13.8 million this year, up from $12.7 million last year.

"Operation Stonegarden is one part of our overall strategy to provide state, local and tribal law enforcement on the frontlines the resources they need to confront the complex and dynamic challenges that exist along our borders," Napolitano said.

Arizona Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain, both Republicans, have called for an increase in the grants.